Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about using the wheel, planning a balanced table, and what happens to your guest list.
Using the wheel
What does Potluck Wheel do?
It takes a list of people and assigns each one a dish category: appetizer, main, side, dessert, or drinks. The assignments are balanced so you do not end up with five desserts and no main. You can then copy the list, print it, or share a link that opens the same table.
How do I enter names?
Type one name per line, or separate names with commas or semicolons. The counter under the box shows how many guests the tool sees. Extra spaces and blank entries are ignored.
What happens if I type the same name twice?
That person gets two assignments. It is a simple way to ask a household or an eager cook to bring two dishes. If it was a typo, remove the duplicate before you spin.
Can I skip a category?
Yes. Uncheck any category you do not need, for example drinks if the host has them covered, or mains if someone is grilling for everyone. At least one category must stay checked.
What are target counts?
A target is the number of people you want in a category. If you set mains to 5, the tool tries to put five people on mains before spreading everyone else. Leave a target empty to let the tool balance that category automatically. The how it works page explains the exact order.
What if my targets add up to more than the number of guests?
The tool fills the categories that are furthest below their targets first, one person at a time, until it runs out of people. Some targets will not be fully met. Lower the targets or add more names if that matters.
What if there are fewer guests than categories?
Each person still gets one category, and some categories will be empty. With three guests and five categories, three categories get one person each. Consider turning off categories you can live without so the important ones are covered.
What if there are more guests than categories?
Several people share a category. Extra people go to whichever categories currently have the fewest, so the result is as even as possible.
Can I spin again if I do not like the result?
Yes. Each spin uses a fresh random seed and produces a new arrangement. Some groups agree to accept the first spin to keep it fair; others spin until it feels right. Either is fine.
Is the wheel truly random?
It uses your browser's ordinary random source to create a seed, then a small pseudo-random generator to shuffle people and categories. That is plenty for planning a meal. It is not intended for prize draws, raffles, or anything involving money.
Sharing and printing
How do I send the list to my group?
Use Copy list to paste plain text into an email, text thread, or team chat. Or use Copy share link so people can open the same table in their browser.
What is in a share link?
The link contains the guest names, chosen categories, targets, and assignments, encoded in the part of the address after the #. Anyone with the link can see those names. Only share it with people you mean to include. See the privacy page for details.
Can people edit the shared table?
Anyone who opens the link can change the inputs and spin again in their own browser, which creates a new arrangement and a new link. It does not change the original link or anyone else's view.
Can I print the assignments?
Yes. The Print button opens your browser's print dialog. Many people print for a break room or bulletin board, or save as PDF.
Planning the potluck
How many people should be on mains?
For a potluck that replaces a meal, a rough starting point is about a quarter to a third of cooks on mains. The portion guide explains rough proportions for each category.
Should I assign exact dishes instead of categories?
Usually categories work better. People can make what they are good at, and the table stays balanced. If you need to avoid duplicates, ask people to reply with their dish after they get their category. The planning guide covers this.
Where can I find dish ideas?
See potluck dish ideas by category, with notes on travel, temperature, and quantity.
How should I handle allergies?
Ask everyone to label their dish with main ingredients and known allergens, keep a serving spoon with each dish, and invite guests to share dietary needs privately. The food safety and allergies guide has general tips and links to official sources. It is not medical advice.
Does this work for an office potluck?
Yes, and random assignment helps keep the load fair across a team. The office potluck guide covers fridges, outlets, labeling, and remote teammates.
Privacy and cost
Do I need an account?
No. There is no sign-up and no login.
Is my guest list saved on your server?
The assignment runs in your browser, and the guest list is not uploaded to a Potluck Wheel account or database to make the assignment. A share link carries the list inside the link itself. Hosting, ads, and the tip widget involve third parties, which the privacy page describes.
Is Potluck Wheel free?
Yes. The site may show Google ads, and there is an optional Ko-fi tip jar on the home page. Neither is required to use the tool.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The page is designed to work on phones, tablets, and computers in a current browser with JavaScript enabled.
How do I report a problem or suggest a feature?
Use the contact page. Specific details, such as the browser you were using and what you expected to happen, help a lot.
Last updated October 10, 2026.